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September 2026 - A Day at the Beach
By Kristen · 5 posts · 48 views
By Kristen · 5 posts · 48 views
last updated Sep 07, 2025 06:50PM
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Other topics mentioning this book
October Read - Splendors and Glooms
By Kristen · 17 posts · 170 views
By Kristen · 17 posts · 170 views
last updated Jan 01, 2013 06:03PM
November Read - The Great Unexpected
By Kristen · 12 posts · 101 views
By Kristen · 12 posts · 101 views
last updated Nov 28, 2012 04:59AM
What Members Thought
An intriguing book--I enjoyed it very much and read it quickly. I don't think I quite grasped everything, but it seems well worth a reread. I loved the hints at adolescent angst (not written in an ANGSTY way, but a real way), and the characters, and the setting--the Irish setting was perhaps better defined than the American setting, but that might have been done purposefully. I love the way the story slips in and out of the real world.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a little Irish folklore mix ...more
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a little Irish folklore mix ...more
I liked it, but found it difficult to follow. I had to flip back and re-read things several times before I had everything straight.
It reminded me a little bit of Kate Atkinson's books (though she writes for adults) because all of the different threads ended up related somehow by the end of the book. ...more
It reminded me a little bit of Kate Atkinson's books (though she writes for adults) because all of the different threads ended up related somehow by the end of the book. ...more
I desperately need to know what students think of this. I loved Lizzie's character, but I felt like the whole think was totally overwrought and blargh.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE GREAT UNEXPECTED on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006... ...more
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE GREAT UNEXPECTED on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006... ...more
This is a sweet story, and it works well as a read aloud. I like the short chapters interspersed with what's going on "across the ocean."
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A subtle overlay of fantasy on this mostly realistic fiction book. Quite lovely. Grs. 4+
I liked the story, but it didn't all come together for me - I got confused about who all the characters were, didn't quite get the "ah ha" feeling when it all started to come clear - it was just a bit too confusing.
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Really enjoyed this book. Reminded me a bit of Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting.
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May 26, 2012
Kris Springer
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review of another edition
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Sharon Creech's books are a mystery to me--I loved Walk 2Moons & The Wanderer but some of her others leave me confused. This is 1 of those. I have to admit that I'm not a magical realism fan and I think The Great Unexpected really is in that genre. So perhaps my failing as a reader. Just too many coincidences for my taste as well as confusion as to who Finn was--a real boy? A fairy? Are we just supposed to let it go?
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Jul 16, 2012
Karen
added it
Oct 24, 2012
Jessica
marked it as to-read
Nov 07, 2012
Barbara
marked it as to-read
Dec 08, 2012
Laurie
marked it as to-read
